The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports has chosen to make some pivotal changes to the rules of mixed martial arts. The changes made include the removal of the ban of 12-6 elbows, and what constitutes a grounded opponent

12-6 elbows, or elbows that come straight down, had been banned since 2001, when the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were created. Based on accounts from former referee, John McCarthy, the ban stemmed from viral videos of martial artists breaking several bricks using this blow. This caused the Nevada State Athletic Commission to ban the strike outright.

This facet has been controversial in the public opinion of mixed martial arts fans, who have campaigned for the reversal of this rule since its creation. This also effected several fighters like Eddie Alvarez, and most notably, Jon Jones.

Jones currently has only one loss on his record, a disqualification due to the use of this technique in his bout against Matt Hamill in December 2009. It was reported by The Sportster that Jones had previously appealed this loss, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission were not willing to listen to Jones’ plea. This fact leads influential people in the UFC such as Dana White and Joe Rogan to proclaim Jones as undefeated due to their opinion on the rule itself.

The ABC has also redefined what constitutes a grounded opponent in mixed martial arts. Previously, a fighter was considered grounded when their hand was on the ground. The new rule states that any other body part would constitute a grounded opponent, except for one’s hand.

In the leadup to UFC 304, fighters such as Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall were complimentary of these changes. They both also echoed the sentient that they should also allow knees to the head of a grounded opponent, something that has also been seen in Pride FC and One FC.

These two rules will come into effect on November 1, 2024. This marks a huge paradigm shift, and a sign of things to come for the rules of mixed martial arts. Hopefully this leads to the acknowledgement of the pleas of these fighters to create even more rule changes in the future.